MJ the Musical, the jukebox tribute to Michael Jackson’s career, set during the 1992 Dangerous tour rehearsals, is what is currently raising the roof at the Prince Edward Theatre in London. Rather than a traditional bio-play, the show weaves flashbacks of Jackson’s rise to fame, from his early days with the Jackson 5 to his reign as the King of Pop. Whilst the production is visually spectacular — with energetic choreography (directed and choreographed by the Royal Ballet’s own Christopher Wheeldon) and stage design (Derek McLane) that mirrors the grandeur of Jackson’s legendary performances — the piece itself drags its feet. In answer to the lyric so often repeated in the Jackson hit ‘Stranger in Moscow’ — “How does it feel?” Well, honestly? Not great.

As Michael Jackson, Jamaal Fields-Green delivers a worthy performance — he’s just about doing enough. He captures the pop icon’s voice, mannerisms, and recognisable dance moves with admittedly incredible precision. But the performance is one-dimensional, and suffers from Jackson’s own personality traits — it’s quiet and unassuming — and the show’s pace suffers for it. The big musical hits, including Jackson’s early work, are showstoppers, recreating his most famous routines with much energy and it’s hard to ignore the frequent cheers from the audience. Some people love it. Others sit patiently waiting for the next hit to tick off their list. Few are truly invested.

Beyond the spectacle, MJ the Musical touches on Jackson’s complex life, exploring the immense pressures he faced from a young age. It acknowledges his struggles, but doesn’t go far enough — maybe this is why it doesn’t pack a punch? Some controversies are left out, perhaps rightly so. But can a biographical show really afford to cherry-pick so blatantly? Especially when so much of that drama is ripe for dramatic exploration. Jackson is presented as a hero throughout, and even the ‘villains’ of the piece all have their ‘reasons’ — a curious landing ground for some of the events that occur in Jackson’s life.

MJ the Musical is surely a must-see for mega fans, in whose eyes the icon can do no wrong. Offering a blend of musical nostalgia, it captures Jackson’s nicest press-cuttings, while providing less than a glimpse into the man behind the music. Frankly (and this is so often the case with jukebox musicals), a better evening might be enjoyed with a disco light on in the lounge and headphones in, listening to the real thing.

MJ the Musical is playing at the Prince Edward Theatre 6 March 2024 – 13 September 2025.